Both ends of the volatile swings that can happen over the course of an NBA schedule will be represented Friday when the Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Clippers are on a downturn, having lost two of three games since star Kawhi Leonard has been out with a right hip contusion, putting a dent into their recent revival. Before Leonard missed time, the new-look Clippers had been on a nine-game winning streak.
The Grizzlies arrive at Los Angeles as winners in four of their past five games following the return of their own star, Ja Morant, who served a 25-game suspension. And to show just what Morant means to his team, he missed the Thursday game at Denver with an illness and Memphis was rocked 142-105.
The Clippers enter off a 113-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday in a game that just as easily could have slipped away. Los Angeles was down 91-84 against the scuffling Hornets with 9:29 remaining before erupting for a 19-2 run to take control.
“You just have to be professional, just playing through the game,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said after his team had 10-point leads in both halves before falling behind in the fourth quarter. “You can’t take bad shots, you can’t mess around with the game when you get up, and we did that.”
James Harden scored 29 points in Los Angeles’ victory, while Paul George added 25. Ivica Zubac delivered 18 points and 14 rebounds. An energetic Russell Westbrook proved key with 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists off the bench.
“We’re a next-man-up, keep-the-ship-going (team),” George said. “When (Leonard) gets back, he’ll be healthy, and we will continue to rock. Regardless of who’s in or who’s out, our job is to continue to keep going.”
Leonard, who had become the central focus on offense as the Clippers went on their winning streak, was listed as questionable to return on Friday.
Having Morant available on Friday would be key for the Grizzlies. Santi Aldama also was out for Memphis on Thursday because of an illness.
“Hopefully he’s feeling better,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said when asked about Morant’s availability for Friday.
Morant averaged 28.8 points in the four games since he returned, despite shooting just 16.7 percent from 3-point range. He also contributed 8.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Before Morant returned to guide the recent four-game winning streak, Memphis had lost five consecutive games and 10 of 13. It was shades of those struggles on Thursday when the Grizzlies were outrebounded 53-36 and saw the Nuggets shoot 57.3 percent from the floor.
Before Morant returned, the Grizzlies had leaned on Desmond Bane (currently at 25.1 points per game) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (21.1). Bane scored 23 points against the Nuggets, but Jackson was held to 14. Bane has made at least three baskets from 3-point range in each of his past 14 games.
Jenkins was less than revealing after the defeat, saying, “(The Nuggets) played great tonight. Give them a lot of credit.”
When asked where the breakdowns occurred, Taylor responded: “They played great. We got to get ready for the next game.”
Former Clippers sharpshooter Luke Kennard hasn’t played the past 19 games for the Grizzlies because of a bone bruise in his left knee.
–Field Level Media